You should have drove through Bowling Green, Ky. That's where the only Corvette Assembly plant is located, immediately next door to the National Corvette Museum.
Can anyone there tell me what happened to my other comment post, there wasn't anything in that post that should offend anybody. You do know that I am a contributor to your cause.
Nah... Bc the C5 is still more sought car vs a c4 bc not just the handling is way better as its wider vs the c4. But the C5 of course has the LS1 engine. Which will put down 40-50whp more. And they respond to mods much better. I build lsx engines and there's a reason why everyone is doing a lsx swap. I can't remember the last time I heard someone doing an ltx swap. The lt1's run decent. But with the opti and water pump issue.. It can be a headache if not done right. Back to handling... A ls1 fbody will still handle better vs a c4 vette. I own 2 actually as they are great street cars. Both are t56. And i would never give 1 up for a c4 vette. Not even a 1990 zr1. As both my fbody's make more power anyways. And with aftermarket suspension also, i stock c4 cannot touch my cars. So a high mileage C5 automatic... You can snag for $7k cash. I've seen them every so often for 6500 with higher than average mileage. Less than what he paid for this black rose c4.
I had a few 2nd gen trans sms and a 82. Loved the 82 jet black that was my knight rider car. As far as the C4 I always wondered why they done away with the digital dash. My little brother loves the C4 I myself I lean toward the C5.
Here I am thinking I'm some wizard for having owned 3. Very find taste, sir. They're hard to resist at their bargain once you know how much you're getting.
I bought a 96 Collector's Edition 2 years ago with 49k miles for $9k and drove it from Michigan to Minnesota with no problems what so ever. Great car for the money.
With 49,000 miles, I would certainly HOPE there would be no problems driving two states away. I've driven some real piles of shit from WV, OH, KY, and PA to CA and OR and back, countless times.
I've always felt the C4 was sexy-as-all-fck, those flip-up headlights and clean look is awesome so whoever doesn't 'love' it has ZERO taste in automotive art in my opinion
I agree wholeheartedly, I've always found the post 1990 facelifted C4's design to be one of the cleanest, sleekest, most elegant of all the corvette generations.
I had a '96 convertible, great car. Fast, handled, like it was on rails, incredibly reliable, 25 plus mpg and like you note, sooo sexy! What's not to like?
Nobody: Will it fit in my Honda? Hold my beer Am I a joke to you? Asking for a friend Everybody gangsta End this man’s whole career He protecc, he attacc … Sexual/genitalia innuendo Scatological/potty joke Question of quantity answered yes Plot twist Left/entered the chat Gaming reference Dislikes are from I’m a simple man Last time I was this early Legend has it That’ll buff right out Punch line below read more
@@obsideon1343 can confirm. Every e36 I have wrenched on had this issue. You have to replace the switches. Honestly, 15+ years on the possibly originals is pretty good imo.
The C4s definitely got the praise they deserved in their era. Too many have forgotten how good they are, though. I've always lusted after a Grand Sport (aside from the ZR1).
me 2 -- An opportunity came up some years ago so i had a friend check a '94 vert out for me in BC (I'm in GTA area) -- turned out one owner and in very good shape. Flew there spent few days exploring the west and drove it home. Awesome car loved it ... One of the best trips and purchases I've ever made.
Going on 16 yrs with my 94 Polo Green 6 spd and love every time I take her out. Been a very reliable car although I'm a on top of it as far as preventive maintenance. That's the key to enjoying these beauties because if you let them go, they can take a large chunk out of your pocketbook. Especially if you're not a DIYer. I'm fortunate than I do all my own work.
I love my '93 C4...best $6500 I ever spent on a car...it's brought me many many hours of driving pleasure and has been amazingly reliable...she's a keeper.
I had a 94 C4 and it was my daily driver. Very comfortable, and the torque combined with the light weight meant if you saw a spot in traffic, it was yours. I took it on long trips and enjoyed every second of it. The LT1 is a great motor. You can slide the back end out with 1/4 throttle if you want to. The only downside is the large door sill to climb over when you get in, and the problems with the optispark. GM doesn't make them anymore so if you need a new opti, you keep buying chinese ones until you get one that works.
I had all but written off the possibility of owning a C4, and had other things in mind for my next second/sports car. But I decided to take one last look at them. I'm old enough to remember them as new cars, when they were very impressive compared to contemporary sports cars, at any price. Still, I had, over the years, fallen into the conventional thinking that they weren't desirable now. But THEN I realized what bargains they have truly become, at least here in the States. So I bought a 1988 Manual C4 back in January, just before the troubles really began. My particular car pushed all the right buttons, in terms of colors and specifications. And the price was right, so I snapped it up after inspecting and driving it. The thing about the C4 that does not show itself well on video, is how much personality it has. It's "Fizzy" as Jason Cammisa likes to say: It sounds great, the throttle response is very 'snappy', the shifter feels like a rifle bolt, it has a mountain of torque right from idle, excellent suspension tuning and a vice-free chassis, outstanding driving-position ergonomics, and (I think) stunning good looks. It's easily one of the two or three cleanest Corvette designs of all time. I do have a strong preference for the original styling, though (1984-89). Here in America, the cars are still cheap and plentiful. Reliability is outstanding, there is tons of expertise, readily available parts of any description, dramatic increases in engine power are inexpensive, and running gear parts really are cheap and DURABLE. Reproduction interior stuff and significant body damage do get expensive fast, so try to find one in very good cosmetic condition. They may not be cheap for much longer, especially as they age-out and fall off the road; we'll see. But mine makes me smile, for sure. Thanks for the great video! Liked and subscribed.
@@ericmiller2052 Thanks, I'd overlooked the 1990 model's unique combination of early and late model characteristics. For me, the updated dash is very well done, except for one thing; the colors. I could live with the materials. It is a Corvette, after all, and relatively cheap interiors are always part of the formula that allows them to be such performance bargains. Anyway, the grey switches with orange markings turn me off. Makes it look even cheaper. This extends to the instruments, which look cheap as hell even though they are excellent functionally. I prefer the early dash, with its F-16 inspired, all-business digital presentation. I'm probably completely alone in that! But whatever, it's very unique and I think it's cool.
Yup. I have a nice 96 LT4. Some folks knock them,but when I push that pedal and row that 6 speed,it makes it all worth your while. This Car is all stock air box to exhaust tips. She is fast enough for me.
I bought a 1988 9 years ago for 1800$ w/ 100k miles. Buddy knew a guy that had it in his garage for 6 years just sitting, after back surgery he couldn't get in and out easily and tired of seeing it just sit. Had it towed to the shop I was working at, tossed some ATF in the plug holes and went to lunch. Came back and threw a battery in it and it fired right up on 6 year old gas. Immediately drove it home trying to knock the flat spots out of the tires the whole way home....lol it wobbled like a clown car and the massive 2nd gear burnout clouds from rock hard tires added to the hilarity....long story short it's in the driveway with 150k miles and just as many smiles. Same motor and trans from the factory never opened(bolt-ons, big throttlebody, $a Haltech Gm PlugNplay ecu$, C5 front brake kit(A MUST), lowered as far as i cant get it without going to coilovers, black GS 17x11 for the rear and 9 for the front). Hands down the best purchase of my life.
@@505racing3 They are pretty inexpensive to acquire in driver condition, I got mine for $14,000. Absolutely mega driving experience, and not one that is widely known these days.
@@lucysmith4242 that's a little bit of a stretch. if you frame it by using a 97 base corvette with an auto then its closer. but if you take a '04 base with a 6 speed, it hits the quarter in 13 flat and 0 to 60 in 4.5 while the v6 2020 camaro is 5.0 and 13.7. the corvette in '04 had 350 horse and 360 ft lbs. the camaro 335 horse and only 284 ft lbs. and the v6 camaro weighs a little more even if you take the heaviest (3247lbs) convertible vs the lightest 2020 camaro (3354). the v6 auto camaro can get up to 3638 lbs. and then there's the z06.
@@Muzzleblast-1911 I think OP meant that the 40th embroidery was supposed to be reserved for the seats of the ruby “40th Anniversary Edition” cars. But since model year 1993 was the anniversary, the embroidery was legitimate for all Corvettes that year anyway.
Really enjoyed your story. Must've been a great trip! I love my '84! The only thing it lacked was power. Cured that with a 500hp 383. What a fun car to drive!
@@darylnystrom1094 The C5 with the Z51 handing package is noticeably better than the base. I was shocked at how soft the base suspension is. The Z51 upgrade makes it handle more like the Z06.
A bittersweet review of a car that will probably invoke memories for years to come. You can't watch it without thinking about the special cars and their associated memories in our lives. Your C4 will be the vignette for this chapter of your life. A thought provoking video as always, Winston. Good luck with your dream car.
I am sorry to hear you are letting it go, but I get it. Back in 1998 I had to let my Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS go for lack of garage space. It killed me.
Still remember the euro coupe montes.i lusted after ss Montes growing up. Being older I finally relaxed what a turd these were in terms of that 305 v8. This car deserved a better motor.
Whenever I heard the voice I thought, "Wait a minute.. Is this Serpentza??" I never knew he had his own car channel, too. That's cool! One of the most memorable days I had as a kid was whenever my dad picked me up from school in his C4. It's a neat car for sure.
It truly is sad these cars don’t get the credit they deserve. I’ve had mine for 20 yrs. I don’t have the time to drive it as much as I’d like, but I refused to sell it for next to nothing. You can’t buy the wheels and tires for what some of these cars sell for.
In 1987 I bought my first and only Z52 C4. I still have her. Well over 230,000 miles on her frame. I just rebuilt the engine and the transmission. She now is a lot Naughtier than she was. I agree, 27 - 30 mpg on the standard engine is normal. Now I get 15 -17, but she's as fast as a modern day model. Cheers!
We Love our 1996 LT4 6 speed. We found it with 30k mint 100% original. Hands down the most fun car I have ever owned. I absolutely love driving it all the time. Great Video! Thank you for steering us in the decision of getting a c4.
C4 drips with 80’s and I love it. It’s not my favorite corvette by any means, but it’s a great car that I’d be proud to own. Love the long hood, pop up headlights and round rear taillights
My wife has a 93 Anniversary model that stays in our garage (along with my 2011 Camaro SS) all the time. It only has 80,000 miles on it, and it runs perfect. It's a great car.
I have a 95 C4 Corvette. It’s polo green and it’s one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Targa top off when I go cruising. A head turner. Get compliments all the time. I just love ❤️ it.
The 1992 - 1996 C4 Corvette is one of the best looking cars/ Vettes ever made. How the Hell anyone can think the C3’s better looking is beyond me. The LT1 is an awesome motor to boot and the vehicle handles/ brakes great! Awesome car thanks for reviewing it.
I owned a C3 (70') Corvette for 23 years and absolutely loved that car. Easiest car ever to work on, which was rare, rock solid reliable. Beautiful lines and fun gadgets far ahead of their time. Fiber optic light monitoring system, hidden headlights and wipers with vacuum operated covers. 4 wheel disc brakes, even had headlight washers. It was a blast to drive and I drove across country more than once. Limited cargo space was its only flaw. I may consider a C4 at some point. Great video.
...I picked up a magazine in 1983 here in Australia and found an article on the C4 Corvette due out the next year. I was 17yo then and made a promise to myself that I would own a C4 Corvette one day. I still have that very same magazine in my shed... along with the black 87' C4 convertible I bought back in 2007. You're right Winston, these were way ahead of their time and are still an exceptional vehicle to drive. Great vid mate 🦘... keep the stories coming 👍
@@edmusick7794 calm down buddy and be glad the millennials aren't into them. Take a look at what's happened to vintage Harley's since hipsters got into them.
I'm not a huge fan of the C4 by itself, but the 1996 C4 Grand Sport is simply gorgeous. The vibrant blue with a long, thick white strip going right down the middle, and red front fender stripes just all play on it's style very well.
Since I discovered this car I’ve gotten in love with it, I am still young so I have to wait many time until I can finally get the money to get one. This video is my inspiration and every time I watch it I get more and more inspired so in the future I can own my dream car!
Always been a 'sports car' person, but being a family man for many years on a working man's budget, the vehicle budget was restricted for many years to American 'family car' sedans and reliable transportation. Always lusted for a British sports car the likes of an MG or Triumph and after my kids were all grown up and on their own, finally found myself in a position to be able to get myself a 'toy'. One day while driving past a local used car lot, they had a really beautiful Corvette convertible parked out front so I decided to take a look. Long story short after a test ride I fell in love with it and decided to purchase it. It is a 1992 convertible, LT1 engine, auto transmission, and in excellent condition. I have found it to be whatever I want it to be; a sedate easy to drive and live with daily driver, or an exciting sports car with plenty of power when it's needed. And I get plenty of compliments and waves from other Corvette owners. No regrets about buying a used C4 Corvette.
I worked for Chevrolet during this period and always thought that they looked good. They have a very planted feel on the road and for a real sports car they have tons of storage space underneath their glass hatch.
I own a C4 ZR1 for 17 years with no major issues. On FB their were ladies who broke up with husbands or lovers. I suggested they buy a C4 ZR1 or C4 LT1. I said you can get a ZR1 or a C4 LT1 for cheap price. Most bought a C4 LT1 and did not regret it. They took their C4 on road trips and meet different folks and had nothing but fun. I had passed your video on. Thanks for the nice video.
I love them. Certainly not under rated in my real world except the Crossfire Injected which was horrible on power but got easily 30 miles per gallon on gas and 19/20 in town. Can't beat that for something that stopped and handled great especially for its time
The C4 is just a used car yet... Too hard to get in and out of, I almost bought a pristine '96... Couldn't get in or out of it gracefully. I'm 58 with arthritis... I really tried, but at 6'2, this beauty was just not gonna happen... Beautiful ride for 10,500... Had to pass...
I literally paused the video at this point and I was like, "Hey, that's the Top Gun house!" Then I did a Google search to verify that my memory wasn't completely failing me just yet.
YES my favorite channel in the world! I wish i was working full time again so i could become a patreon, but i have been only working part time since the pandemic started. Im just happy i have a job still and make enough to pay the bills at least. Stay awesome everyone
Owned a 1989 red on red base purchased for myself and my mom in late 89' that we absolutely loved. It was an automatic that shifted brilliantly hard and at the time was brutally fast. In 1991 we purchased a practically new 91' base automatic white on red C4 that we still own. It only has 35K miles on the odometer as of December 2023 (garage stored) and the exterior paint and interior red leather is immaculate. We actually liked the 89' more for rally driving back then but we both still enjoy the 91' more and more these days as it has a much more refined ride than the 89' and has become our favorite. Totally agree with the MPG on the C4 🥰 for today's standard very impressive.
Great video. Bought my red '95 6Sp 9 years ago and still enjoy driving it. Handles like it's on rails and gets 27 MPG on the highway like you said. A lot of car for 7 - $10K.
The C4 is a bargain, especially the later cars, and are such better performers/more comfortable than the C3 IMO. I have a L98 GTA and I'd love to add a LT4 C4 at some point.
Wow, feels like the end of an era somehow. I first started watching your vids around when you had that America trip. Loved your Quest for the Best series.
@@misterbuklau4053 Nope that's from RL. I had a C5 Z06 and man, everyone acts like every Corvette is rare. They made tons of the things, very few of them are truly rare.
To me the C4 is one of the most iconic cars of the 80's. Just like the 3rd gen Camaro or the Trans Am. I was born in 1982 and these were my little kid dream cars. And I know my father loved to have a Corvette once, but he didn't buy one until he died in 2012. Now I drive a 2015 Camaro and I'm totally in love with the car. I drive it to work every day and back ...
I remember when the C4 came out, everyone knew they were a big advancement. I remember reading all the test results in the magazines of the time. It was the only American sports car that could even think about competing with contemporary European sports cars. Being a teenager, they were far out of reach for me, but I still lusted after them. C3 was great from an industrial design point of view, but basically 60's tech. The last few years were especially pathetic.
It didn't just compete with them, it smashed them in the nuts. The car dominated Porsche (and everyone else) so completely in SCCA it was banned and put into its own series.
@greg B my friends father bought a new ‘84 and half the people on the block were outside looking at it in awe; it looked like a spaceship compared to the late 70’s-mid 80’s cars that were the common sight at the time(except for the odd aerodynamic fords that were coming out at the time). Long story short, still an excellent car today if you can handle the stiff ride and a creak or rattle which is par for the course in ANY older sports car. This was also the first corvette I ever sat in and left an everlasting impression on me!
Shelby Avant Ahh Yep, your right. I can’t believe i missed that lol. Anyway, for me personally when it comes to C3’s, the earlier the better. I think the early ones look better, and also had the better available powertrains by a long shot (basically breaks down like this; •later C3’s: some of the worst/least volumetrically efficient and weak/anemic power-plants to ever grace American roads •Earlier C3’s: Some of the most powerful and sought-after big-blocks and SBC’s of all-time (427/7.0L monster included!) This was much due to the oil crisis (incredibly high fuel prices as well as limited supply of fuel which resulted in 6-hour lines, rations, low maximum purchases etc.; all of which made the prospect of owning a muscle car unappealing to say the least), federally mandated emissions (catalytic converters, smaller carbs running lean, lower compression, restricted intake etc., all of which utterly destroy power output. The C4 which I mistakenly referred to was super weak in its 84’ debut, but as the generation aged, so did its power output and overall driveability and performance. The LT-1’s were good performers, with amazing low-end torque and available 6-sp manuals. The LT-4’s in the 96’s and other special editions (Grand Sports) we’re off the charts sick. I had a friend with one transplanted into a 96’ Camaro with only a few bolt-ons; it would hang with my modded 02’ Z06 up until around 80. The LT-5’s from the ZR-1’s were next level, although rare and expensive. They were Yamaha designed with help from Lotus iirc. DOHC (not pushrod!), high-compression, fuel-injection, high-revving, ~400 hp beasts, which was world class super car territory in the early 90’s without even considering the reasonable price tag.
That colour is incredible! There's also a green mist colour that looks sensational. I think your car must have almost doubled in the time since you bought it. I live in Tokyo and own a black C4 ZR-1
Never stated the mileage when he purchased it. Not sure I would take a trip across the country with one with over 100k unless the records show it had been maintained. Did like the video. He's right about the C4.
PS we lived in the snow for 18 years, imagine driving a Crown Vic in the snow, so yeah, we ended up buying a Subaru and a GMC truck with four-wheel-drive
I didn’t know the c4 had traction control and the fact that it still works is impressive. I prefer the style of the c3 over the c4 but your video gives me perspective. 👍
Glad You found a well cared example of a c4! My first job as a kid was at a Corvette specialty shop. Talk about fond memories! Also, the old small block 350 is a damn tank and extremely reliable. Electronic gremlins were the most problematic with this gen. Cheers
It is good to see someone FINALLY giving some love to a great car... this is just ONE thing that I want to point out... in the video you, rather emphatically, said that spare parts are NOT cheap for this car. In response to that I would merely ask... what parts are you looking at... I have been working on and restoring C4 Corvettes for 22 years now and frankly... you can take a complete piece of junk car and completely rebuild it (minus the paint job of course) for around $5,000 to $8,000... that is new carpet and interior, all new suspension, new weather striping, new exhaust and even allows for some engine and transmission repair if needed. Frankly, from my experience, the C4 Corvette is the one of the cheapest... possibly THE cheapest... way to get a performance car that there is... even if you need to fix it up.
its nice to see this gen get some love. i used to dislike the C4, having grown up dreaming of a C5, but the C4 has *really* been growing on me the last few months. i think id be happy if i could get a late spec ZR-1 or preferably Grand Sport.
I had an 1987 for a few years. The clamshell hood, spinning headlights, handling and exhaust were great. However the l98 had nothing above 4000 rpm. Also could never find a simple body kit that made it look nice. They were all over done and gaudy. The LT1 engine had the crappy optispark issue. Personally I’d pay extra and get a C5 or newer if I wanted an older vette.
yes bro! I thought the same, but little by little I have fallen in love with the car, it looks interesting, and the speedometer is very interesting and nostalgic, for me it would be like feeling in the true 80s
@Hans Betz and @Worthless Whips, I guess that you both never heard of the Callaway Sledgehammer then, have you? Seriously, you two, go look it up on RU-vid, as well as elsewhere, online...you will both thank me later.
Im looking at buying an 88' that was a weekend only. Owned by an old man. Garage kept all original almost brand new condition. I think it will go well with my 80's pornstache and heavy stubble
Had a 1986 Trans Am after high school that was a blast to drive, the older I get the more I appreciate the 80's techno wedge sports cars. I've also owned a 1975 Corvette that was an electrical nightmare & at least 5 Camaros of all kinds of conditions from garbage to brand new. Can't argue with the classic, cheap American hot rods!
Several years ago I sold my "84 911 Carrera to my boss. Loved the car, worked on it myself but it was a lot to worry about. Quite unexpectedly I bought a "94 C4 w/ a stick for 1/3 the money. I love this car. It's perfect! It never breaks and I can park it at the grocery store, unlocked and never worry a second. "Just an old Corvette." Two seats, clutch pedal, 300 hp, handles great, made in Kentucky, cheap to buy. I've owned about 35 cars. This is one of my favorites. Going to keep this one.
Same happened to my dad, when he got married in the 90's for the 2nd time, and my ex step mother eventually made him get something more practical because of me, and my sister, which was a Mercury Cougar, which still had plenty of get up, and go though, along with a Ford F-150 crewcab with the 1/2 doors for our farm work.
@Jon Jonson Alright, but then you have to pay child support till the kid/s are of the age of 18, and alimony depending on how long you where together, and how much she relied on your income to survive, and if she has a good lawyer, and you end up with a crooked liberal man hating judge in family, and/or divorce court, that could end up being upwards of 60- 70% of your total income. Us men are fucked, so I'd get rid of the car first, as it's far cheaper.
Owned a brand new 1994. Loved it. Loved everything about it. THEE ultimate bang for the buck in 1994. 171MPH top end. That factory tilt front end is the coolest. Mine was Polo Green with tan interior. I'm going to buy a clean one owner next summer. Bose sound system , one piece solar ray targa top.
When I heard the voice I thought it sounded like the guy who makes videos about life in China. Then I saw him with his signature suit and knew it was the same guy!
In the summer of 1987 I bought my Z52 coupe. I still have it and drive it on weekends. 236,000 original miles. Never broken down. Getting a new long block built right now. Rebuilding everything right now. Can't wait to finish her restoration.
